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2 Have you ever struggled with choices like these when you write sentences?The puppy chased (it’s or its) tail.(You’re or Your) my closest friend.(Who’s or Whose) bike is in the garage?

3 it’s and its you’re and your who’s and whoseWell, you are not alone. Many people confuse these pairs of words all the time:it’s and itsyou’re and yourwho’s and whose

4 The most obvious difference between the words in each pair is the apostrophe ( ‘ ) mark:It’s, you’re, and who’s all contain an apostrophe.These 3 words are contractions.Its, your, and whose do NOT contain an apostrophe.These 3 words are possessive pronouns.

5 Contractions join two words into oneContractions join two words into one. In the process, one or more letters are left out, and an apostrophe replaces these letters.Two WordsIt is or It hasYou areWho is or Who hasContractionIt’s—apostrophe replaces the i in is or the ha in hasIt’s time to begin. (It is)It’s been a long day. (It has)You’re—apostrophe replaces the a in areYou’re bothering me. (You are)Who’s—apostrophe replaces the i in is or the ha in hasWho’s ready to begin? (Who is)Who’s seen my keys? (Who has)

6 Possessive pronouns are pronouns that show ownership or possessionPossessive pronouns are pronouns that show ownership or possession. They DO NOT need an apostrophe to show ownership, unlike nouns, which DO need an apostrophe to show ownership: Possessive Pronoun---His car (pronoun with no ‘s) Possessive Noun---Bob’s car (noun with an ‘s)

7 Possessive Pronoun MeaningIts—no apostropheThe kitten could not find its squeak toy.Your---no apostropheI like your taste in clothes.Whose---no apostropheWe don’t know whose car is parked in the fire lane.MeaningBelonging to itBelonging to youBelonging to whom

8 There is an easy substitution test you can use in order to choose the correct word in the following troublesome pairs.

9 The puppy chased (it’s or its) tail.Substitute it is or it has. If the sentence makes sense, then use the contraction, it’s. If it doesn’t make sense, then use the possessive pronoun, its.The puppy chased it is tail. The puppy chased it has tail.L Sentence makes no sense, so use its.The puppy chased its tail. ü

10 (You’re or Your) my closest friend.Substitute You are. If the sentence makes sense, then use the contraction, You’re. If it doesn’t make sense, then use the possessive pronoun, Your.You are my closest friend.J Sentence makes sense, so use You’re.You’re my closest friend. ü

11 (Who’s or Whose) bike is in the garage?Substitute Who is or Who has. If the sentence makes sense, then use the contraction, Who’s. If it doesn’t make sense, then use the possessive pronoun, Whose.Who is bike is in the garage? Who has bike is in the garage?L Sentence makes no sense, so use Whose.Whose bike is in the garage? ü

12 Remember to use this substitution rule, and you’ll ALWAYS make the right choice!